Chris O'

OK, I getting a new converter. Any guru's want to advise me on what type of stall speed I should get based on these specs?

stock 350
3.08 diff
stock heads with valve angle work, 2.02/1.6 valves
port matched Performenr intack
QJET
XE256H cam 256/268 adv dur, 212/218 @ 50, .447/.454 lift
dual exhaust, no cats
TH350 auto


I was thinking 2200/2300 but have been quoted 2500 by the TC shop.

Thanks

:cheers:

1979toy

Torque converter stall speeds are not exact. A torque converter that stalls at 2500 RPM on my 406 may stall at 2000 RPM on your engine. The numbers are used for a referance point only. If the manufacturer recommended a converter then it's in his best intrest to see you get the right one. The converter that has been recommended may stall at 2000 to 2200 RPM on your engine and I would think that would be fine.

Mystery Machine

I had a TCI that was 1400-1800 then when I swapped motors I put in a "custom" built one (there's a shop in my town that builds them) that has a 2200-2500 stall and I couldn't tell much of a difference.

Both cost ~$200.

Bacchus

stall speed is a combination of design, car weight, and engine torque. A rated 2500 stall converter in a light car with low torque is likely to only stall at 1800-2000. I have a Hughes 3500 stall in my Vega. While it is a light car (2800 lbs) it also has close to 500 ft/lbs of torque, putting stall speed at nearly 3500 exactly. T he same converter in my corvette (stock, heavier car, but much lower torque) would probably only stall at 2800-3000.

I too would have thought they would have quoted you a 2200-2300 stall speed converter. You aren't heavily modified with a lot of cam duration, so I would think 2200 (or 500 over stock, as it is often referred) would be pretty good. Call a couple manufacturers (Hughes, B&M, TCI) and get some general recommendations and go from there.


Brian

Chris O'

:crazy: :confused: I'm doing 2550 rpm @ 60mph which made me think of around the 22-2400 stall figure.

:thumbs: Thanks!

I'm waiting on another quote so I'll compare then.

:cheers:

Jvette73

Check out the TCI Break-A-Way. Its in the neighborhood of 2500rpm stall. It was the convertor I used when I was still running the stock TH400 in my 73. You can get em thru summit or jegs for about $200. Its a good idea to add a aux trans cooler as well since the stall convertor will build more heat due to the extra friction is causes.

I used that convertor for about a year then sold it Alwyn678(another forum member). As far as I know its still doing great in his car. I looked at the specs you listed on yur motor. The TCI Break-a-Way will fit in perfect. It will most likely have a bit less than 2500stall in yur setup. On mine it came in around 2300.

ORVette

I'll sell you a B&M 2400 Torquemaster for $100+shipping. I checked the Summit invoice, and it was purchased May last year. Has maybe 1000mi. on it. Works great, but I have to get a different one to use with my new motor (B&M doesn't recommend Torquemasters for BB's). Stalled about 2200 behind my mild SB.

Chris O'

Thanks OR but the shipping cost to my place is waaaaayyyy too expensive!

:cheers:

ORVette

Oops! Didn't see that. :crazy:

The Money Pit

Another thing to concider is the higher the stall,the more heat your trans will have to deal with. For the near stock engine you have,a stall of 2200 would be perfect. I'm running only a Holeshot 2000 with the 406 and it's fine for me.

Paul 75 L82

I have the Holeshot 2000 in my 73 Z-28 with a 383 and a 350 turbo with the B&M Shift Improver kit and it all works great.

jimtreber

With an aftermarket cam I prefer something in the 3000 range. I know anytime I nail it, I'll be well into the curve. But after driving a 10" converter on the street for a year, all that additional revving got old. On my C4 that wasn't a problem. I just got a converter with a lockup clutch. But on my C3, there wasn't one available at the time for my TH350. When I switched to a TH400, I got the Kenne Bell switchpitch kit which included the front pump controller. This converter switches from a 3000 stall to a 1800 stall by flipping a switch. The stator actually changes angle. You can even change it under full power. It's been a while back when I bought one and I don't know if they're made anymore.

Ganey

In general, a guide some use w/ 2 nos., the lower is about for 350 SB & the larger about for 383+ or BB.
You may be happy w/ stock w/ that mild cam.

SanDiegoPaul

You may be happy w/ stock w/ that mild cam.

Dunno about the original poster, but I sure want more "off the line" power. I thunk that with all the torque I built into the 388 Stroker, it would be fine but it is not. 0 to 40MPH sucks even though I am running over 300HP to the ground. To the guys that say they got by with a 2000 stall, what gear ratio do ya have in the rear?

I am running a 3.08 :smash: and I really think my next step is a 2500 stall convertor. Any takers on this one?

jimtreber

Myself, I always preferred the converter on the looser side, since our automatics don't have the luxury of putting the rpm where we need it. Both my previous A1 10" and the kenne Bell switchpitch that I ended up with were at 3000 with 4.11 gear. My cam was a 298degree in a 406. The Rhoad lifters were almost pumped up at 3000 so everything came together really well.




[Modified by jimtreber, 5:39 AM 1/26/2003]

Chris O'

"0 to 40MPH sucks" - exactly!

Got the trans out yesterday. I reckon I saved 5kg by cleaning all the gunk off the trans a x member! :eek: